Eight things you need to know for a successful eclipse chase

Are you prepared for August 21? With these simple tips, you will be

Totality is the ball-game, it’s everything. It’s 100% or bust. If you think a 99% partial eclipse is just 1% less impressive than a Total Solar Eclipse, you’ve misunderstood what Totality is. It’s a gazillion times better.

3 – Download eclipse maps

4 – Prioritise clear skies, not duration of Totality

Make your choice on where the clear skies are. Seeing totality at all is WAY more important than how long totality is – if you also get to decide how long you want totality to be, well, you’re extremely lucky! Once you’re in the Path of Totality, the weather forecast is more important than the map.

5 – Keep weather apps to your cellphone

This web app is handy, and this eclipse weather map from NOAA will be helpful for checking on the location of clear skies.

6 – Stay mobile

Deciding to swap locations may be a tough, but necessary decision depending on weather. Check your location’s forecast from Saturday afternoon onwards, and move to clearer skies on Saturday evening or Sunday morning. Don’t plan to move on Monday, but if you need to, do it. But try not to stray outside of the Path of Totality because if traffic is bad, you may not get back in!

7 – Forget about using your cellphone for calls and internet

Just like being in a stadium or a huge concert, there will be too many people trying to post on social media. Forget about it.

8 – Get emergency food, water and a full tank of gas on Sunday, August 20

Will there be traffic chaos? Perhaps. Either way, you don’t want to queue for something you don’t need to. Pack for a few days and attempt a drive-in, drive-out camping trip.